It turns out everything shuts down in Spain between Christmas and Three Kings' Day, officially the 12th day of Christmas. Even if you are an enterprising F&B or hospitality establishment, you're not planning on really working during that time, are you?

So we felt truly lucky when we found Encalada, a boutique hotel literally carved into the moutainside of the medieval town of Vejer de la Frontera. The hotel also had a a cute little storefront that attracted a good looking crowd even during the slow holiday season.

At first we frequented the handsome bakery next door for breakfast and other delights, but quickly learned to sample from the many patisseries and bakeries in the back allies of the old town as well as up in what's called the new town. One of them being quite special, the owner and master baker a childhood friend of a Michelin-mentioned young local star chef we met.

All rooms are different and unique. Take a peek before making your choice, but just for fun, as you can't go wrong with any of them.

Ours literally had a hammam carved into a cave.

LOCATION

C. de la Corredera, 47, 11150 Vejer de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain

CONTACT

www.encaladavejer.com/casa

encaladavejer@gmail.com

+34 956 80 52 42

LEAD-IN IMAGE

Casa Boutique Encalada; all other images by Wonder Shuffle